Wine Encounter Inc

I have been going to The Wine Encounter for a few years now. It's family owned and operated. The owners are an Italian Family and share a love for wine and good conversation. Thier father makes a wonderful pizza and thier pairings with various cheeses and pate's are amazing. Rich and Vince are the two brother's along with Tracy and Ashley who both are wonderful and helpful. This is the kind of place you can go to, not have any idea of what you want. They ask a couple key quiestions and pull you the perfect bottle, they will let you try it, make sure you like it, then pour you a glass. I try to go as often as I can, the specials are great, the atmoshere is comfortable yet quiet. You can carry a conversation and enjoy good company. They do something here, I don't think anyone else in town compares to, they have two huge walls of beautiful wood wine lockers, members can join and have your own locker named special for you and each month they put wine in your locker, they also host free tastings for memebers and offer huge discounts in addition the the great happy hours and such. Check it out, you can't go wrong. more

I went to Wine Encounter with two friends on a Tuesday night and it was pretty quiet, which I enjoyed. They have great specials, like 50% off flights, and the staff was knowledgeable and checked in with us relatively often (at first). The atmosphere is pretty modern, with a long granite bar and tables and chairs (and mood lighting...they dimmed the lights at like 9:00pm), but not very cozy. They have a great selection, and although the staff was helpful, we kind of dropped off the radar after we were there about an hour. It was hard to even get our bill, and I think they kind of stick to the regulars...I noticed two of the winetenders pulled up a chair and enjoyed a glass with some patrons there, and even though there weren't many people there, it was still hard to get their attention. I would recommend this place for a weeknight because of the specials and because it's mellow, but I wouldn't recommend it over some of the other wine bars in the area, like 3rd Corner in Ocean Beach, where the staff is more engaging and the atmosphere is more cozy and inviting. Pros: Great specials, great selection, knowledgeable staff Cons: Little attention from staff, rigid (not cozy) seating more

I have been to The Wine Encounter twice. The first time was in April. My friend and I went in one Saturday and it was Sippin' Saturday. It was a really nice time. Tracy Wallce was the winetender, very nice service, nice atmoshpere, good wine. Well, I went with a group of friend, total of 5 people on Satuday, 9/29. It was right at 5 and to our surprise it was HAPPY HOUR. All their glasses of wines were 50% off. We stayed about two hours. The service was horrible. Aparently if you are not in with the winetender/owners, then you are nothing. It was very cliqueish. I felt like I was in high schoo. Basically, if you are not white and now the owner/winetender, you did not exist.. When my friends and I left, all the white people at the bar applauded as we departed. However, they were the loud and obnoxius ones. The Wine Encounter has a bad vibe. Don't go. Pros: Good value for happy hour Cons: bad service, bad clientele. more